Friday, March 29, 2013

I knew as soon as I saw the announcement that Amazon bought Goodreads, the slams against Amazon would begin. Today I received an email from the Authors Guild in which Scott Turow, current President of the Guild, stated: “Amazon's acquisition of Goodreads is a textbook example of how modern Internet monopolies can be built. The key is to eliminate or absorb competitors before they pose a serious threat. With its 16 million subscribers, Goodreads could easily have become a competing on-line bookseller, or played a role in directing buyers to a site other than Amazon. Instead, Amazon has scuttled that potential and also squelched what was fast becoming the go-to venue for on-line reviews, attracting far more attention than Amazon for those seeking independent assessment and discussion of books. As those in advertising have long known, the key to driving sales is controlling information." I believe Amazon will make Goodreads better. Otis and Elizabeth have come a long ways with Goodreads in a fairly short time, but I do believe Goodreads will be easier to move about the site with a little help from Amazon. And for authors, who have had trouble adding the Amazon books at Goodreads lately, will be happy to have this change. I have been a member of the Guild since 1990 and my late husband was a member since 1972. I did not renew my membership this past November because of the constant attacks the Guild has made on Amazon in recent years. I admire Jeff Bezos and how he has built Amazon, not only to author satisfaction but to customer satisfaction. Amazon has given independent authors great opportunities. The publishers, authors, the Guild, again complaining are usually the same ones who complained and put down those of us who made business decisions to go with ebooks, and take control of our works. I love Amazon!

Even though a number of my books and my husband’s books are at B&N, and other retailers, none come close to matching the sales through Amazon. And I buy all my books at Amazon, and have for many years now, along with just about any household items I may need. If you’re treated right, customers stay with the company. That’s called Success! ~Linda

About Me

Welcome and Enjoy!

I am a published writer. When asked what I write I often say my writing goes from “flying angels to flying bullets.” When I receive those curious looks it may be because I fail to say, “not in the same book.”

I write nonfiction books about angels and spirit communication with the Other Side, Spiritualism, and UFOs. I also write mysteries, suspense, and historical novels, and I have scripted Comic books.

Some of my writing was with my late husband, Don Pendleton, father of the Action/Adventure literary genre, creator of The Executioner: Mack Bolan Series, the Joe Copp Private Eye Series, and the Ashton Ford, Psychic Detective Series.

I have published a Kindle ebook edition of our popular nonfiction book, To Dance With Angels, which was first published in 1990. I am delighted to now have it available for Kindle, in print, and audio.

As if my books don’t keep me busy enough, I now have four Blogs, this one, and my World of Spirit Blog and the two listed below. I suppose I should mention, my four websites...they are listed in the side panel below.

I have a Ragdoll kitten, Max, and he keeps me busy keeping him out of trouble! And I am convinced he is part dog. I hope you enjoy reading the eclectic posts and please feel free to share your thoughts with me.

Favorite Quotes

"Words are things; and a small drop of ink,falling like dew upon a thought, producesthat which makes thousands, perhaps millions think."~ Lord Byron

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is."~ Albert Einstein

"Peace is possible. It can begin simply, over a game of chess and a cup of tea."~ Mattie J.T. Stepanek (1990-2004)"Live Large!" ~Don Pendleton (1927-1995)"We must be willing to get rid of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." ~Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)